I've been hearing about the straight invasion of Hanlan's Point for years. Actually, mostly I've been reading about it - from complaints in Xtra back in the early 90's, to complaints on the internet today. I've only been to Hanlan's twice, and that's in the last 4 years. The first time I went, there was a group of Polish men sitting next to us (me, my gf, and our good friend; we were all naked btw) chatting up our friend. They were all naked. So was the boy child one of them was a parent to, who had zero interest in the naked people around. That kid was having a great time playing in the sand and in the lake. Whomever was the dad of that kid was also naked, and trust me, that group of men seemed pretty darn straight. My gaydar got a zero response. There are some families down there already and they seem cool.

I'm of two minds when it comes to Hanlan's and the nudity issue. I respect the fear of the queer and gay erasure a majority straight crowd brings. I understand the frustration at a queer/gay space being gentrified into a non-gay space. I understand the anger and resentment felt about clothed straight people gawking at naked queer and gay bodies. But I'm also unwilling to accept the mostly older, white, gay men policing of what can and cannot be worn in a public space, especially what women wear. Don't you tell women to take off clothing. I don't care how gay you are, it's still misogynist.